Film Reviews

Yogi Bear

• Rating:
• Director: Eric Brevig
• Starring: Christine Taylor
• Details: US/80 mins G

Another Alvin and the Chipmunks style cinematic relaunch of old school cartoon characters, Yogi Bear is steadily aimed towards the younger members of your family. Which is fine, but other than the awkward mix of CGI and conventional filmmaking, there isn't a lot here to recommend the film over a lazy Saturday morning at home watching the cartoon in front of the TV.
Dan Akroyd and Justin Timberlake voice Yogi and Boo Boo, who team up with Tom Cavanagh's Ranger Smith to stop their home, Jellystone Park, being sold by the mayor and closed forever. They must put aside their differences, and with the help of Anna Faris's documentary film maker, figure out a way to stop their home from being flogged. But Yogi won't stick to the plan, and mischief dutifully follows the bear wherever he goes.
You can't really break down a film based on a cartoon series that initially ran for little more than five minutes an episode. While there is a mercifully short running time, you get the impression pretty fast that anyone growing hair in places other their head is in for a tough slog. Fundamentally it's a relatively proficiently made film, and Cavanagh, although merely wallpaper here, has enough presence to make his Ranger Smith register as much as the effects. Faris is on autopilot; a fine comedic actress, she really deserves better roles.
As for Yogi and Boo Boo, well, as much mischief as they get into, they don't really have the charm to make them likeable rouges - they're just stupid. Director Brevig has gone for a bit of a retro look for the bears, so instead of being realistic when acting opposite the actors, it just appears jarringly weird. It's obvious he did it to capture the spirit of the original, but given the modern setting it doesn't work.
Might be worth a passing rental on a rainy morning, but unfortunately that's all Yogi Bear is - a distraction for when the cookies run out.

Review by Mike Sheridan